With the NFL Draft still two months away, mock drafts will continue flowing throughout the Houston Texans media space until NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is finally announcing a pick.

Some have focused on offensive lineman at the top of the draft, while others may be more concerned with adding skill position players with early draft capital. Regardless, the goal of all has been to fantasy-book the Texans to their first Super Bowl Championship in franchise history. 

In the Trenches

My first official mock for the Texans Roundtable provides a "trenches first" approach, where Houston would address both sides of the line of scrimmage with their first two selections. Afterward, general manager Nick Caserio would then spend his next three choices on a combination of skill position players and another interior offensive lineman.

Pick #28 (round one): Caleb Lomu (offensive tackle, Utah)

Pick #38 (round two): Caleb Banks (defensive tackle, Florida)

Pick #59 (round three): Jadarian Price (running back, Notre Dame)

Pick #69 (round four): Sam Hecht (interior offensive line, Kansas State)

The rationale is simple: the Texans need to fortify the interior of both the offensive and defensive lines as a first priority.

Rationale Explained

Last season, the team lost defensive tackles Mario Edwards Jr. and Tim Settle Jr. for a large chunk of the regular season (and all os postseason) with major injuries. To add, Settle Jr. and Sheldon Rankins are unrestricted free agents heading into March 11th's free agency window, thus Houston may end up with glaring needs on the defensive front. 

Offensively, Houston yet again had to play musical chairs with the available interior personnel due to underperformance and injuries. And though the unit improved in sacks given up (31) compared to last year (54), the product as a whole still underwhelmed.

Via yardbarker.com, NFL.com's Kevin Paltra assessed the offensive line by saying,

"The broken record continues to spin in Houston. Despite efforts to fix the blocking problems a year ago, the Texans again fielded one of the worst lines in the NFL. C.J. Stroud was under siege for much of the season, and the run blocking was woeful."

"To make matters worse, the most serviceable among the starting five, guard Ed Ingram, is set to be a free agent. The hope is that Aireontae Ersery can improve upon a rocky rookie campaign. The Texans must bulk up their interior offensive line to help open holes in the ground game, particularly in short-yardage situations."

For Houston's final four picks, the vision would be adding quality depth behind already strong starters.

Pick #128 (round four): Bud Clark (S - TCU)

Pick #165 (round five): Lander Barton (LB - Utah)

Pick #243 (round seven): Lewis Bond (WR - Boston College)

Pick #244 (round seven): Kaleb Elarms-Orr (LB - TCU)

More Rationale Explained

Plus, they would proactively position prospects as possible replacements in the event the Texans allow players like linebackers Christian Harris  (unrestricted free agent - 2026) and Henry To'oTo'o (unrestricted free agent - 2027) to leave. 

Also, the Texans cut veteran C.J. Gardner-Johnson early in the season due to team chemistry/performance issues, while rookie safety Jaylen Reed suffered major injuries that sidelined him for chunks of the season. 

Would you have drafted differently? What position(s) would you prioritize? Let us know in the comments section below and by mentioning us at @Texans_RTB on X and @Texans.Roundtable on TikTok!